SYSTEM-8 System Program ( Ver.1.30 )

Please check the version of the system working on your SYSTEM-8 before downloading the archive file.

Press [ MENU ] to invoke the menu screen.

Use the cursor buttons to choose VERSION INFO, and then press the [ ENTER ] button.
The version information screen appears.

* Don't perform the update if the product is already up-to-date.

Update history
[ Ver.1.30 ] AUG 2018

Additional Function

JX-3P PLUG-OUT is preloaded onto the [ PLUG-OUT 3 ] button.
* Loading the JX-3P plug-out requires a factory reset after updating. Follow the procedure in "Updating the Tone Data" to select the target item for the factory reset ("ALL" or "PLUG-OUT 3") and execute the factory reset.
* If a different plug-out exists at the [ PLUG-OUT 3 ] button, removing the plug-out and reselecting [ PLUG-OUT 3 ] loads the JX-3P plug-out. For information on how to remove a plug-out, go to the [ Owner's Manual ] and refer to "SYSTEM-8 Reference Manual -- Removing a PLUG-OUT (PLUG-OUT REMOVE)."

When a trial-version plug-out software synthesizer is installed, patch data is sometimes destroyed.

Noise sometimes occurs when delay is tempo-synchronized to an external MIDI clock (MIDI or USB).

When the unit is running as "MODEL: SYSTEM-8," operating portamento with "MONO: ON" sometimes silences played sound.

Other minor bugs.

[ Ver.1.11 ] DEC 2016

Additional Functions

The JUNO-106 PLUG-OUT is preloaded onto the [PLUG-OUT 2] button.
* To load JUNO-106 tone data, a factory reset after updating is required. Follow the procedure in "Updating the Tone Data" to select the target item for the factory reset ("ALL" or "PLUG-OUT 2") and execute the factory reset.

An effect setting screen was added to the menu items. Along with this, advanced setting parameters were added for DELAY/CHORUS and REVERB.

A SYSTEM-1 filter was added to FILTER VARIATION 3.

A mode for saving the tempo in patches was added ("PATCH TEMPO" in system settings).

Functionality Improvements

During control operation, the display is kept unchanging, and the [VALUE] knob can be used to make fine adjustments (by pressing the [ENTER] button during parameter name and value display).

Parameters for INPUT-use effects can now be changed by holding down the [VOCODER] button and operating the controls for the DELAY/CHORUS or REVERB section.

When the Part Edit (performance mode) KEY RANGE setting is in effect, the settings for key ranges can be made by holding down the [SHIFT] button and fingering the keys on the keyboard.

It is now possible to set the tempo by tap tempo at the TEMPO Adjust screen (by holding down the [SHIFT] button and pressing [ENTER]).

Other minor improvements in operation were made.

Bug Fixes
The following bugs were fixed.

The MONO setting for a patch was not applied in the performance mode.

Problems during use with the SH-101 PLUG-OUT Software Synthesizer plugged out were corrected.

Sub OSC Type could not be selected using the Wave knob in the OSC3/SUB OSC section.

The indicator for the [ENV] knob in the FILTER section failed to light up.

The indicators for the [A], [D], [S], and [R] sliders in the AMP section failed to follow the VCA MODE setting.

Other minor bugs.

[ Ver.1.02 ] SEP 2016

Functionality Improvements

Patch/Performance data was newly added (with some replaced), and the arrangement was revised (including the JUPITER-8 PLUG-OUT preload).

Rearrange (exchange) and Initialize functions for Patch/Performance data were added.

Functions for deleting backup/export files on SD cards were added.

Other minor improvements in operation were made.

Bug Fixes
The following bugs were fixed.

Performances became empty on execution of FACTORY RESET:EXCEPT PLUG-OUT.

FACTORY RESET:SYSTEM-8 PATCH could not be selected.

Other minor bugs have been fixed.

What you will need to update your SYSTEM-8

SYSTEM-8

USB cable

A computer with a USB connector ( Windows, Mac )

Caution when performing the update

Never apply this update data to any product other than the SYSTEM-8. This update data may destroy the data or system program of other products.

Never power-off your SYSTEM-8 while the update is in progress!
If a power failure or similar accident occurs during the update process, the SYSTEM-8 won’t be able to start up in normal operating mode. This will require servicing, so you will need to contact Roland service center near you if this occurs.

We regret that we are unable to answer questions regarding the update procedure using this system program. Please perform the update responsibly, following the directions given in this document.

Getting the update file

Please open/extract the downloaded "sys8_sys_v130.zip" file on your computer to get the update file in the "sys8_sys_v130" folder.

Procedure for the update
Caution

You must not rename the extracted file.

Never turn off the SYSTEM-8's power while the update is in progress. Otherwise the system program or the SYSTEM-8 itself may be destroyed.

Please install the extracted system program file into your SYSTEM-8 according to the following procedure.

Make sure no SD card is inserted in the SYSTEM-8's SD card slot.
* If an SD card is already inserted, then take out the card.

Hold down [ KEY TRIG ] and switch on the power.
"==== update ====" appears on the display.

Connect the computer to the SYSTEM-8's USB port by a USB cable.

Open the "SYSTEM-8" drive folder in your personal computer.

Copy SYSTEM8_UP.BIN in the "sys8_sys_v130" folder into the "SYSTEM-8" drive by dragging and dropping it.
* Do not copy the "sys8_sys_v130" folder.

After copying the file is completed, remove the USB drive from the personal computer.
With Windows

Right-click on the "SYSTEM-8" icon in My Computer and execute "Eject."

With Mac

Drag the "SYSTEM-8" icon to the Trash icon in the Dock.

Disconnect the USB cable.
The message "Updating..." appears on the display and the update starts.

The message "update finished." will appear on the display when the update process completes.

Turn the SYSTEM-8 power off.
Please verify the version number "1.30" with the procedure described in "How to tell the version" part of this document.

At the initial powerup following an update, the message "Updating Panel" sometimes appears on the display.
If "Updating Panel" appears, wait until the message "Completed" appears on the display, then reset the power again.

If Updating Using an SD Card
You can also update the SYSTEM-8 by using an SD card.
Follow the procedure below to carry out the update.

Format an SD card on the SYSTEM-8.

Put the "SYSTEM8_UP.BIN" at the root folder of the SD Card.

Leaving the power to the SYSTEM-8 switched off; connect the SD Card to the SD Card port.

Hold down the LFO [KEY TRIG] button and turn on the power.
The message "Updating..." appears on the display and the update starts.

The message "update finished." will appear on the display when the update process completes.

Turn the SYSTEM-8 power off.

At the initial powerup following an update, the message "Updating Panel" sometimes appears on the display.
If "Updating Panel" appears, wait until the message "Completed" appears on the display, then reset the power again.

Updating the Tone Data
If an update to the SYSTEM-8 results in the preloaded Patch/Performance tone data being updated, you can load the latest tone data by executing the procedure in "FACTORY RESET."
In "FACTORY RESET," you can select the items to be affected by the factory reset. Please refer to the " Returning to the Factory Settings ( FACTORY RESET )" for detailed information in the [ Owner's Manuals ].

* Executing the procedure in "FACTORY RESET" causes the tone data/settings in the SYSTEM-8 to be lost.
Before executing the procedure in "FACTORY RESET," use the function described below to save any necessary data onto an SD card.

Backing Up Data to SD Card (BACKUP)

Press the [MENU] button.

Use the Cursor buttons to select "UTILITY," and then press the [ENTER] button.

Use the cursor buttons to select "FACTORY RESET," and then press the [ENTER] button.

Use the [VALUE] knob to select the item that you want to factory-reset.

ALL :

All of the SYSTEM-8's settings/patches/performances, including PLUG-OUT 1 - 3, are reset to their factory-set state.

EXCEPT PLUGOUT :

Only the SYSTEM-8's settings/patches/performances, and not PLUG-OUT 1 - 3, are reset to their factory-set state.

SYSTEM-8 PATCH :

Only the SYSTEM-8's patches are reset to their factory-set state.

PLUG-OUT 1 :
PLUG-OUT 2 :
PLUG-OUT 3 :

This returns only the Patches of synthesizers installed at PLUG-OUT 1 though 3 to their factory defaults.

Press the [ENTER] button.

The message "Factory Reset?" is displayed. Press the [ENTER] button.

When the factory reset has finished, the message "Completed. Turn off power." is displayed.